Nearly forty-five years have rolled away since Mrs. Margaret Deets came to Whiteside county, and now, after many years of such hardship and privations as only the pioneers know, she is passing the evening time of her life surrounded by the comforts and privileges which were beyond her reach in her young womanhood.

She comes of the sturdy old patriotic stock which laid the foundations of this great republic, "building better than they knew." Her paternal great-grandfather, who owned two large flourmills in Pennsylvania, taxed his mills to their utmost capacity, grinding grain to be made into bread for teh army of Washington. On one occassion, when his son, the grandfather ofMrs. Deets, then a youth of seventeen, was engaged in driving a large team of horses, hauling supplies for the army a squad of British soldiers attacked him, and though he managed to escape, seven bullet holes were found in the wagon-bed. The mother of the young patriot did all within her power for the cause of the colonists and it ws not until blindness afflicted her that she ceased to bake bread for the army. The parents of Mrs. Deets were John and Margaret (Reece) Wetzel, natives of Franklin County PA and Maryland. They removed to Summit county, Ohio later to Stark county, same state, and at length came to Whiteside County.

Mrs. Deets is one of thirteen children, she being next to the youngest; Catherine born Aug. 4, 1813, married Henry Wymer and both are deceased. They had two children, both of whom have passed away. Polly died in infancy. Diane born September 2, 1815 an dnow a resident of RockFalls married Mary Beidler, Sept. 15, 1839 and they hae six children. Jacob, born Dec. 12, 1816 wedded Susan Beidler in 1842 and with their six children live in Genesee township. John, a resident of Michigan, was born May 29, 1818, and chose Camilla Ward for his wife. They are the parents of four sons. George born January 18, 1820 married Mary Linerode Feb. 17, 1849 and two daughter were born to them. The wife and mother died September 18, 1854 and Mr. Wetzell makes his home with his niece, Mrs. Scott in Rock Falls. His daughters are married and have children. Elizabeth, born August 17, 1821 became the wife of Cyrus Harting. She departed this life many years ago and left several children. David R. born April 7, 1823 never married and died Sept. 15, 1894. Andrew born March 18, 1825 married Sarah Ward, and had four children. He has passed to his reward, while his widow resides in Stark County OH. Joseph born Dec. 9, 1827 married Ellen McKien. Seven children were born to them and Mr. Wetzel now resides with his son Thomas. Hannah born June 5, 1829 became the wife of Lewis Spots and of their several children, five survive, the others dying in infancy. Their home is in Lee county, MO. Lewis born June 3, 1837 wedded Mary Lawyer Mar 25, 1858 and they had four children. The parents are citizens of Galt, Whiteside county, having retired from their life work farming.

The birth of Mrs. Margaret (Wetzel) Deets took place on the 7th of Dec 1831 in Summitt County OH. She was a babe of two months when her parents removed to Stark county. In 1855 she came to Whiteside and the following year became the wife of Louis Deets, who was a thrifty farmer of Hopkins twp. The young couple were economical and rapidly made progress toward a competence, but, when the war of the Rebellion came on, the patriotic husband left his plow and went to the defense of the Union, his brave wife bidding him God-Speed. In 1861 he enlisted in the 55th IL Inf. and served for three years. Later, he resumed his calling and continued to devote himself to his home and business until his death July 14, 1882. Since that time, his widow has carried on the old homestead near Emerson and has enjoyed the same measure of success as did her esteemed husband in days of yore.

Twelve children came to bless their home. William Wilson 20 Dec 1857 mrried Anne Engle, AUg. 31, 1881 and is a resident of this township. Their two sons, aged fourteen and sixteen are at home. Elizabeth 2 Nov. 1861 became the wife of Henry Johnson and is the mother of four children. Mr. Johnson owns a fine ranch of over one thousand acres, situated in the state of Washington, is an extensive dealer in lumber and grain also. James M. Apr. 7, 1865 married Olive Carolus and has four children. Their home is at Emerson, where Mr. Deets is engaged in the trade of a wagon maker an din addition operates a large farm. Charles T. born Feb. 6, 1874 married Iona Carolus, November 8, 1896 and they have a child living, another having died in infancy. He is a successful lawyer of Almira, Washington. Four sons and two daughters died in infancy; Caroline born in 1860 died in Feb. 1874 and Jennie born Jun 6, 1867 died in 1877.

In his political faith Mr. Deets was an ardent Republican. He was industrious and enterprising. He left a comfortable estate and, what is better, an unblemished name and record to his posterity. Religiously he was identified with the United Brethren church.

Contributed by M. King Deets